Youth officer’s Book of family devotions; Dublin Inter–Parish Hockey Tournament; Kentucky Singers at St Ann’s, Dawson Street; Limerick walking for Whitsun; Vacancies for rectors in Down and Dromore; A Title Competition; ISPCC campaign puts face on emotional abuse
Youth officer’s Book of family devotions
Down and Dromore Diocesan Youth Officer, Andrew Brannigan, has just published a new book of devotional ideas for families.
‘Family Time’, which is free, contains some suggestions for praying with children and 99 devotion outlines for teaching faith to children. These devotions look at significant occasions, moral and life lessons and some of the basics of Christian faith. The intention is that parents, grandparents and other family members will use it with all children –but it may fit best with 5–10 year olds.
Andrew, who is married to Lynne and has 3 primary school aged children, offers the paperback as a starting point for parents to develop faith and relationship with children in the home.
“This book was developed out of the struggle we have in teaching these things to our own children –in the context of all the other demands on our time and energy. In the context of perpetual tiredness! And also from the realisation that if we don’t do it, it won’t just happen,” says Andrew.
“The experiences we want our children to have, the values and beliefs we want them to hold and the relationships we want them to cherish don’t just happen. Rather they come about when we are purposeful and deliberate. When we decide to create experiences, teach beliefs and build relationships with children. This can be hard work but don’t we want the best for them?” he continues.
‘Family Time’ has been funded by The Church of Ireland Priorities Fund and is published by Church of Ireland Publishing. It is free of charge. Please contact Andrew Brannigan for copies. andrew@downanddromore.org
Dublin Inter–Parish Hockey Tournament
Parishes from across Dublin & Glendalough are preparing to bully off at the annual Diocesan Inter–Parish Hockey Tournament, which takes place on Wednesday June 6. This fun tournament provides the opportunity for parishioners to show off their athletic prowess competing ultimately for the Archbishop’s Hockey Cup on reaching the Winners’ Final. The bottom teams in each section will contest the Losers’ Final for the Archbishop’s Chamber Pot.
The tournament, which is also a great social event, will be held in St Andrew’s College, Booterstown Avenue, Booterstown, Blackrock, commencing at 6.00 pm on June 6.
All the usual rules apply and the subscription (unchanged for the last six years!) is €40 per team. Teams must fill in an application form which should be returned by Wednesday May 30 at the latest. Teams are asked to check with their parishes that they are insured – this can be easily done and probably at no extra cost to the parish but it is important.
The organisers are looking forward to seeing teams of fit and able–bodied men and women on June 6 but point out that fitness and ability are not requirements for this tournament, just a sense of humour and courage. For further information contact Revd Anne Taylor or Revd Gillian Wharton.
Kentucky Singers at St Ann’s, Dawson Street
The Pikeville Singers will perform at St Ann’s on Monday May 28 at 1.15 pm. The choir will travel all the way from the University of Pikeville, Kentucky. Entrance is free but there will be a retiring collection at end of concert. The suggested donation is €5.
Limerick walking for Whitsun
Celebrating spirituality at Whitsun in walking and culture, an event suitable for all ages:
Saturday 26 May. starting from St. Caimin’s Church of Ireland church Mountshannon
, from 10:30 a.m.
Based on a traditional pilgrim walk, and organsied by the local faith communities and East Clare Heritage Centre, it is based at St. Caimin’s Church of Ireland church Mountshannon. Events include historical talks, music and a children’s event; with the chance to walk the Holy Island sites with a guide. In the afternoon there is a walk by the minor roads to Tuamgraney; and an ecumenical service at Saint Cronan’s tenth century church at 5.30 to mark the Christian feast of Pentecost. The event is free. With bishops Kieren O’Reilly, Trevor Williams, Methodist District Chair,Independent churches and other ecumenical partners.
http://limerick.anglican.org/news_detail.php?id=64
Vacancies for rectors in Down and Dromore
Three vacancies for rectors in the Diocese and Down and Dromore are being advertised throughout the month of May.
Click on the links below for more information:
Moira: Closing date 28 May 2012
Killinchy Union: Closing date 30 May
Drumbeg: Closing date 1 June
http://www.downanddromore.org/news/2012/05/Vacancies-for-rectors-in-Down-and-Dromore#more
A Title Competition
Since 2009 the Music Sub–Committee of the Liturgical Advisory Committee has been considering the provision of a supplement to CH5. Suggestions of material for inclusion (numbering in excess of 1,500 items) have been received from every county and diocese across the island (and even some from England, France and Canada), and those suggestions have been considered carefully by the Sub–Committee, who presented a proposed list of contents of the supplement to the General Synod several weeks ago. The Bishop of Down and Dromore brought a private members motion to the Synod which stated that the Synod is in agreement with the work being undertaken and supports that work continuing towards a fuller proposal being brought before Synod next year. In all of our discussions so far it has simply been “The Supplement” or “The Book”. As the work is progressing rapidly the need for a title is becoming more pressing. Rather than simply brainstorming the Committee (quite a challenging task!) we felt that perhaps a small competition would provide us with a suitable and imaginative title, and so we would like to throw the floor open. There will be a prize for the winning title, which will be presented at Synod next year. All suggestions are welcome, to the Hon Secretary:
Revd Dr Peter Thompson – revpeter@gmail.com
ISPCC campaign puts face on emotional abuse
Irish Examiner – A girl hugging her teddy stares into the camera and says: “I’m not just a stupid little bitch, I’m a nobody.” She is the face behind the statistics released yesterday by a children’s charity who say emotional abuse is one of its biggest concerns. The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is also worried that more than 800 calls for help go unanswered every day. ISPCC chief executive Ashley Balbirnie said funding remained the charity’s biggest barrier to answering every call.http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/ispcc-campaign-puts-face-on-emotional-abuse-194641.html